To commemorate Pride Month, GSG leaders and advocates reflected on the state of the LGBTQ+ community—and the urgency of action—as it faces mounting political threats. Moderated by GSG Senior Vice President Tim Roberts, the panel featured Assembly members Tony Simone, Rose Christ, Melissa Sklarz, and Lazarus Orr.
Tony Simone, a New York State Assembly Member, represents the 75th District, which includes Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and the Upper West Side. He is the first openly gay Latino elected to the Assembly, and a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, housing, and immigrant protections. Rose Christ is Co-Chair of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies New York. A longtime LGBTQ+ advocate and political strategist, she brings both professional and personal insight as a queer parent committed to equity and inclusive policies. Melissa Sklarz is a Queens Democratic District Leader and veteran transgender rights advocate, who made history as the first openly transgender person to run for office in New York, and has been leading efforts to advance trans civil rights for over two decades. Lazarus Orr is Executive Director of A4TE and a plaintiff in Orr v. Trump. As a transgender, Jewish Appalachian activist focusing on youth advocacy and reproductive justice, he works to build intersectional movements for systemic change.
Against the backdrop of recent Supreme Court rulings and escalating anti-trans legislation, the panelists emphasized that hard-fought progress is at risk. Pride Month, they argued, is not just a celebration—it’s a call to defend civil rights, demand bold leadership, and organize for long-term political change.
From state-level legislative battles to national messaging missteps, the conversation surfaced a common concern: too many politicians are hesitant to speak clearly about LGBTQ+ issues, leaving a vacuum exploited by right-wing disinformation. Panelists called for unapologetic advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and a modern strategy to reach voters where they are—especially through platforms like TikTok and community-based storytelling.
As efforts to roll back protections intensify, the panel made one thing clear: the LGBTQ+ community isn’t slowing down. If Pride is about visibility, this moment is about power and the responsibility to act, vote, and lead with courage.
